He swallowed thickly, the sight of his friend breaking down on his couch making his heart clench painfully.

His friend.

Friends was all they ever were. He'd been there since the beginning. Pined in secret from the start. But his friend had been in love, and he'd kept his feelings under lock and key. It was fine, he'd told himself. All he'd wanted was to see that smile, to know his friend was happy. And now that happiness was nowhere in sight.

He took a seat quietly, his arm slowly looping around his friend's shoulders. He said nothing for a bit, just listening to the sniffling and sobbing, his brows furrowed with pained concern.

"You deserve better," he said, after the crying had subsided a little. "You deserve someone who makes you smile, who loves you for everything you are." He paused, pressing his lips together. He'd never confessed his feelings, never planned on it. Now wasn't the time, either way. But he couldn't help the surge of love and affection welling in his heart, mixing in with the heartbreak. "Someone who looks at you like you hung the moon and stars."

Unable to help himself, he slowly moved his free hand to brush away his friend's tears with the backs of his fingers, his own eyes growing misty. "I know your heart is shattered right now, but I'm here for you," he murmured, his throat tight. "I'll help you pick up the pieces. Put them back together. Okay?"